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Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski tapped Lt. Pat Flannelly as his choice for the city’s next police chief because of the 18-year veteran’s broad experience: He spent nearly five years heading the multiagency Tippecanoe County Drug Task Force, was a team leader and commander for Lafayette’s SWAT unit and — most recently — worked alongside residents on quality-of-life issues as the department’s community liaison.

Now he’ll be put to the test.

Flannelly, 45, was formally sworn in as police chief Friday afternoon by Roswarski, and outgoing Chief Don Roush “passed on the torch” — in the form of the department’s official chief’s badge.

Here’s what Flannelly, who bills himself “the luckiest guy in the world” because of his family and police career, has to say about key quality-of-life issues and crimes affecting Lafayette:

Question: What drug problems are most prevalent in Lafayette?

Answer: Synthetic drugs such as spice and bath salts — both of which are now illegal in Indiana — have become gateway drugs for some users, alongside marijuana, Flannelly said. Cocaine and crack cocaine also are on the uptick.

But most troubling, Flannelly said, is heroin’s return to Greater Lafayette “created by the proliferation of prescription drug abuse.”

Steady enforcement, being proactive and working with the community are steps toward quelling the drug problem, he said.

Q: How does the drug problem affect other crimes?

A: “When people are addicted, they’re not thinking logically. They’re trying to feed their addiction and may resort to stealing, property crimes to get the money.

“Sometimes they resort to violence and decide to commit a robbery, which is a large concern.”

Q: Countywide, violent crimes rose 50 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to data compiled by Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County police. How can that be combated?

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A: Traditionally, most violent crimes occur between people who already know each other, unlike property crimes.

“Generally speaking — and I’m going back to the drug issue here — if you’re not a user or a dealer, you’re less likely to be the victim of a violent crime.”

Q: It’s often been said and documented that Lafayette’s crime is affected by its location between Chicago and Indianapolis. What can be done about it?

A: “While true, it doesn’t matter in the end where you’re from — whether you’re homegrown Lafayette or a new resident from Chicago. Both present a strain on resources. But of course we have to look at outside influences.

“In the end, it comes down to education and prevention.”

Flannelly cites programs such as NextDoor.com, a social networking site that allows residents to share information about suspicious activity and other news, as a way for residents and police to work together.

Q: As the department’s community liaison, what are the main public safety complaints you hear?

A. Flannelly was initially surprised to hear many people cite speeding vehicles as their top concern — “people speeding down their streets.” The takeaway there, he said, is the importance of allocating department resources.